VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) team in Cairo, Egypt, is preparing to procure foodstuffs, blankets, medicines and medical equipment as the second phase of aid to be given to the people in Gaza.

Head of the PMI Mission Team in Gaza Arifin M. Hadi said that the effort was the result of a meeting between PMI and the authorities of the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Palestinian Crescent, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, and the Palestinian hospital in Egypt on Sunday (24/12/2023), at the Egyptian Red Crescent Headquarters in Cairo.

"Referring to the assessment results and data provided by PMI partners in Egypt such as the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Palestinian Red Crescent, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population and the Palestinian Hospital in Egypt, food, clothing (blankets), medicines and medical equipment are priority needs. Therefore, PMI will focus its assistance on these basic food and health needs," Arifin said in a written statement received on Tuesday (26/12/2023) in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, PMI Secretary General AM. Fachir in Jakarta said that the food and health assistance is the second phase of assistance that PMI will distribute to help fulfill the basic needs of the people affected by the Gaza conflict.

"PMI's assistance in this second phase continues the first phase of assistance, which previously distributed logistical assistance in the form of family kits, hygiene kits, baby kits, masks and medical equipment through the government coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," said Fachir.

The ongoing conflict conditions in Gaza have caused some hospitals to lack medical supplies, medicines, and significant shortages of food and drinking water for displaced residents, medical staff, patients, and the injured.

In addition, more than 14,000 refugees have been living in hospital neighborhoods for more than three weeks. There has been a significant increase in the number of missing persons due to difficulties in rescuing victims from under the rubble.

While in Cairo, the PMI team coordinated intensely with the Egyptian Red Crescent as the party officially appointed by the Egyptian Government to distribute Gaza aid, and the Egyptian Embassy in Cairo.